Hot cup lid

ABSTRACT

A hot cup lid providing alternating modes of access to the contents of a cup, the lid including an enlarged drinking opening selectively closed by a tear flap, and a smaller sipping opening diametrically aligned with the drinking opening and adjacent the periphery of the lid, the tear flap including a sealing lug thereon engageable within and closing the sipping opening upon pivotal movement of the flap to open the drinking opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hot beverages, normally coffee, tea or the like, are frequently sold as a take-out item and supplied in disposable cups with thin plastic lids. Such lids are generally of two types, lids which are to be removed in their entirety for access to the contents of the cup, and lids which utilize a fold-back or tear back flap to expose a large drinking opening.

If the lid is to be removed in its entirety when consuming the contents of the cup, the lid will frequently include a sipping opening which allows the consumer to cautiously sip the beverage until such time as the coffee has sufficiently cooled to allow for a direct drinking thereof from the cup. In those lids wherein a closure flap is provided, the opening formed upon removal of the flap must be quite substantial to allow for a drinking of the coffee in a normal and rather high flow manner. Sipping through such an opening, particularly when the beverage is very hot, can be troublesome.

As consumer preferences in lids will vary, a supplier of the dispensed beverage will frequently have to stock both types of lids to meet customer requirements.

Patents of general interest with regard to the environment of the invention include Lane et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,927 wherein the lid, in addition to providing an enlarged drinking opening with a closure flap, also includes a small vent 74 opening within a rather deep recess 72 for the venting of steam. Such a steam venting hole would have no sipping capability.

Another such patent is Zettle et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,019 B2 which, in addition to an enlarged drinking opening or spout 108 through the lid itself, also includes a straw hole 106 with a gasket 200. This hole, because of its structure specifically for the accommodation of a straw, is unlikely to be used to access hot liquids. Further, positioning of the straw opening substantially inward from the edge portion of the lid will preclude any possibility of a cautious sipping of the cup contents therethrough.

The patent to Warden et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,843 discloses a breakout section which is pushed inward to provide a drinking opening. This patent also discloses a highly restricted vent opening which is probably necessary to facilitate flow of fluid through the rather restricted drinking opening, and clearly is not intended to, and could not, as constructed, permit a sipping therethrough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is particularly directed to a multiple function cup lid which can, at the option of the user, allow a controlled sipping, as would be desirable when the contents of the cup are too hot for a conventional drinking, and an unrestricted drinking of the contents as the liquid cools. The capability of the single lid of the invention to provide for two modes of direct access to the contents of a hot container, without removal of the lid, avoids the necessity of providing a separate lid for each drinking mode. Rather, both modes are accommodated by a unique single lid.

Basically the lid, formed of a conventional thermoplastic material or the like, provides a tear back flap joined by an integral or living hinge to a central portion of the lid body. The flap, when closed and prior to tearing or breaking away, has an outer rim portion defining a downwardly opening cavity which frictionally engages the conventional beaded lip of a cup. The remainder of the lid has a similarly configured peripheral rim for sealing of the entire lid to the container or cup. The flap, when a drinking of the contents of the cup is desired, will, through a lifting of the rim portion of the flap, break away and pivot rearwardly. This will expose the lip of the cup itself for a direct engagement of the user's lips with the cup lip and a direct drinking of the contents, as would be the case were the entire lid removed, while still retaining a substantial protective enclosure of the cup contents.

The lid, in an area diametrically aligned with the flap, also includes a raised ridge at the outer periphery of the lid. This ridge is provided with the sipping opening therethrough aligned with the tear flap. The positioning of the sipping opening in the raised portion or ridge, positions the sipping opening substantially above the maximum fill line of the cup, normally at or slightly below the beaded lip thereof. In addition, the ridge uniquely provides for a convenient access to the sipping opening by the mouth of the drinker with the lips positioned to each side thereof for controlled access to the contents in the sipping mode.

When drinking through the drinking opening, it is desirable to close the sipping opening which, while relatively small, is clearly larger than a restricted vent opening through which accidental discharge is not normally a problem. Accordingly, a projecting tab is integrally formed with the rim portion of the flap and extends beyond the rim forming periphery of the lid. This tab, upon an opening of the flap and a swinging of the flap fully backward, will engage over and close the sipping opening. This closing of the sipping opening is enhanced and an effective seal thereof provided, by a projecting lug on the tab configured to conform to the configuration of the sipping opening for a snug engagement therein. The engagement of the lug in the sipping opening will also act so as to hold the flap in its open position.

Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention following hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the lid of the invention mounted to a hot cup with the tear flap closed and with the sipping opening open;

FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view with the tear flap released and pivoted rearwardly to overlie the lid and seal the sipping opening;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail of the lid itself taken substantially on a plane passing along line 3-3 in FIG. 1 with the flap in its closed position; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail through the lid itself taken substantially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIG. 2 and illustrating the flap in its open position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the hot cup lid 10 of the invention is illustrated, in FIGS. 1 and 2, engaged over the open mouth of a hot cup 12. The cup 12, in the manner of conventional hot cups, includes an outwardly rolled edge about the open mouth thereof which defines a cup lip 14. The lid 10 includes a top or top panel 16 and a peripheral rim 18 adapted to snap-mount and seal to the cup lip. The lid rim 18, noting FIGS. 3 and 4, includes a downwardly directed cavity 20 which seats on the cup lip 14, an outer skirt 22, preferably including an inwardly directed locking bead 24, and an inner rim skirt 26 defining the cavity 20 and engageable against the inner surface of the cup 12.

The height of the top 16 above the peripheral rim 18 varies from a maximum height with a side wall 28 extending between the top 16 and the inner rim skirt 26 therebelow to a generally diametrically opposed position wherein the top 16 engages directly with the inner rim skirt 26 substantially below the cavity 20 defined thereby. Basically, the top 16 is of a constant height for a substantial portion of the lid 10 and, at a break point indicated by 30, slopes, as indicated at 32, progressively downward, to the rim, with a corresponding progressive decrease in the height of the lid side wall 28. Note in particular the left side of the cross-sectional details of FIGS. 3 and 4.

The lid 10 includes a central recess 34, the depth of which below the top 16 is such whereby the bottom 38 of the recess 34 is positioned substantially above the peripheral rim 18. The recess 34 is of a size and so configured as to define or retain a peripheral ridge 40 about a major portion of the lid, including the full height portion thereof and an extent of the downwardly sloping area 32, note in particular FIGS. 1 and 2. This ridge 40 is defined by the flat top 16, the side wall 28 and an inner wall 42 which also defines the peripheral wall of the recess 34.

A flap-accommodating channel 44 extends radially outward from the relatively higher recess bottom 38 centrally through the sloping portion of the top 16 to the cup rim 18.

A tear flap 46 extends centrally along the channel 44 and is defined by laterally spaced parallel tear or break lines 48 in and along the bottom of the channel 44 and through the aligned section or portion 50 of the lid rim 18. The inner end of the flap 46 is pivotally joined to the bottom 38 of the recess by an appropriate living hinge 52. The flap also includes an integral tab 54 on and projecting outward from the outer skirt portion of the rim portion 50 of the flap with this tab 54, having an upwardly projecting sealing lug 56 thereon.

The flap 46, when one desired to drink from the cup 12, is grasped by the tab 56 and upwardly and rearwardly pivoted, causing a parting of the tear or break lines 48 as well as a disengagement of the rim portion 50 integral therewith. The drinking opening thus formed is of a substantial size and, by a removal of the rim portion 50 with the flap, exposes the cup lip 14 for direct access thereto by the drinker, much in the manner of drinking from an open top cup. This substantially free access to the contents of the cup will also be facilitated by the inclined nature of the portion 32 of the top, which allows for an accommodation of the upper lip of the drinker. As desired, the bottom of the channel 44 can be strengthened or stabilized immediately outward of the tear lines 48 by a pair of downwardly directed ribs 60 formed therein and paralleling the tear lines 48 for a major portion of the length thereof.

The top 16, and more particularly the flat top ridge portion thereof formed by the recess 34, at a point diametrically opposed from the flap and opening 48 formed thereby, includes a sipping opening 62 therethrough. This sipping opening 62 is, as opposed to the drinking opening 58, of a size so as to allow for a controlled sipping of the hot contents of the cup therethrough until such time as the contents have sufficiently cooled so as to allow for a conventional drinking thereof through the drinking opening 58. It will be noted that this sipping opening 62 is provided immediately adjacent the outer periphery of the lid for convenient and safe access thereto and to the hot liquid to issue therefrom in a controlled manner. Further, the ridge 40 within which the sipping opening 62 is defined, allows for a convenient positioning of the mouth of the drinker when accessing the sipping opening. The elevated positioning of the sipping opening 62 at the uppermost position of the lid, will also provide for at least a small cooling effect as the hot liquid flows through the lid to the sipping opening.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 in particular, when the larger drinking opening 58 is to be accessed, the flap 46 is upwardly and rearwardly pivoted and releasably retained in its open position by engagement of the lug 56 on the tab 54 within the sipping opening 62. The sipping opening and lug are of complimentary configurations whereby the lug completely seals the sipping opening to prevent any accidental discharge therefrom as the drinking opening 58 is accessed. Further, in order to accommodate the projecting rim section 50 integral with the flap 46, and thus not interfere with the sealing engagement of the lug 56 within the sipping opening 62, a pocket or pocket area 64 will be provided at the rear of the recess 34 immediately forward of the ridge 40 within which the sipping opening 62 is defined. The pocket 64, as will be readily recognized, is appropriately aligned to receive the rim section 50. It will also be recognized that this pocket 64, will provide for a further accommodation of the lid to the drinker's mouth as the sipping opening is accessed.

Inasmuch as the flap 46 incorporates a section or portion 50 of the locking rim 18, the flap can be reclosed for a substantially resealing of the drinking opening. It should also be appreciated that the hot cup lid of the invention can be formed of any appropriate thermoplastic or like material standard in the formation of cup lids and which will allow for the provision of tear or break lines, a living hinge, and a snap mounting of the lid rim and flap rim portion to a conventional hot cup.

As described, the lid is unique in its multi-functional capacity, providing, at the option of the drinker, a sipping of the contents of the cup through a small sipping opening upwardly removed from the fill level of the cup, and, upon a sufficient cooling of the cup contents to the drinker's preference, a direct drinking through an enlarged drinking opening provided in the lid which exposes the cup lip itself and provides direct access to the contents thereof as one would have in an open mouth cup. This is achieved while at the same time retaining a partial enclosure of the cup to maintain the warmth thereof and avoid accidental spillage.

The foregoing is considered illustrative of the principles of the invention. As modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and manner of use as shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. 

1. An adjustable counterweight for use in construction equipment, said counterweight comprising: a body having a first section, a central section and a second section, said first section horizontally adjacent to said central section which is horizontally adjacent to said second section, said first section defines a first cavity therein and said second section defines a second cavity therein; and at least two weight plate defined within each of the cavities of said first section and said second section, wherein each weight plate within a cavity is removably secured to said body of said counterweight on a common horizontal support and is horizontally displaced alone said support relative to another plate in said cavity.
 2. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 1, wherein said weight plate comprises a body having a peripheral edge and defining a hole spaced from the peripheral edge of said body, wherein said horizontal support is a bar, and wherein the hole is adapted to receive a said bar for securing said weight plate to said body of said counterweight.
 3. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of holes is defined in said body of said weight plate for securing said weight plate to said body of said counterweight.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body of said counterweight is made of a unitary piece of solid material.
 6. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cavity and the second cavity comprise angled or curved profiles.
 7. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 6, wherein each adjacent weight plate is shaped to fit the contour of the angled profile of the first cavity and the second cavity of said body of said counterweight.
 8. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 6, wherein the angled profile of the first cavity is different from the angled profile of the second cavity.
 9. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 7, wherein each weight plate within the first cavity has a different size and shape, and each weight plate within the second cavity has a different size and shape.
 10. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 2, wherein said bar passes through the hole in said weight plate and attaches to said body of said counterweight.
 11. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 10, wherein said body of said counterweight defines a plurality of openings therein, wherein said bar passes through the openings for attaching said bar to said body of said counterweight.
 12. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 11, wherein said bar comprises a receiving portion, said counterweight further comprising a spacer sleeve adapted to fit onto said receiving portion of said bar thereby restricting axial movement of said weight plates along the bar within each of the cavities of said body of said counterweight.
 13. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 12, wherein a spacer sleeve defines a slot therein, said spacer sleeve is adapted to abut against said weight plates when the slot is received on said receiving portion of said bar.
 14. The adjustable counterweight as claimed in claim 13, wherein said receiving portion of said bar corresponds to the shape of the slot of said sleeve such that the rotation of said spacer sleeve is prevented when said spacer sleeve is received onto said receiving portion of said bar.
 15. An adjustable counterweight in combination with construction equipment having a body with a revolving superstructure thereon, and the counterweight placed in the rear of the revolving superstructure, the counterweight comprising a body having a first section, a central section horizontally adjacent to said first section, and a second section horizontally adjacent to said central section, said first section and said second section each define a cavity therein; and at least two weight plates defined within each of the adjacent cavities of said first section and said second section, wherein each weight plate within a cavity is removably secured to said body of said counterweight on a common horizontal support and is horizontally displaced along said support relative to another plate in said cavity.
 16. A method of loading an adjustable counterweight onto a construction vehicle, said method comprising: a) providing a counterweight comprising a body having a first section, a central section and a second section, said first section horizontally adiacent to said central section, said second section horizontally adiacent to said central section, said first section and said second section each define a cavity; b) mounting at least two weight plates within each cavity of said first section and said second section of said body, wherein each weight plate is positioned along a common horizontal support and is horizontally displaced along said support relative to another plate; c) securing said weight plate to said body via said horizontal support, wherein said horizontal support is a bar passing through the hole in said weight plate and attached to said body of said counterweight; and d) attaching said counterweight to a construction vehicle. 